Utility of Postoperative Mandibulomaxillary Fixation After Rigid Internal Fixation of Isolated Mandibular Fractures.

Purpose: The utility of postoperative mandibulomaxillary fixation (MMF) after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of mandible fractures is debated. The purpose of this study is to analyze if patients undergoing ORIF with postoperative MMF have improved outcome compared with those treated with ORIF alone.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on patients who underwent ORIF of isolated mandibular fractures. Patients were divided into those placed in MMF postoperatively (ORIF with MMF) and those who were not (ORIF only). Postoperative complications and follow-up compliance were compared.

Results: A total of 238 patients were identified. Of these, 204 had sufficient follow-up with 94 patients in the ORIF with MMF group and 107 patients in the ORIF only group. Both groups had similar minor complication rates (13% vs 12%, P = 0.83) and major complication rates (16% vs 13%, P = 0.69). After adjusting for potential confounders, the use of postoperative MMF did not reduce the risk of minor (P = 0.34) or major complications (P = 0.57). Patients with postoperative MMF had a 5% lost to follow-up rate compared to 20% in the ORIF only group.

Conclusion: Postoperative MMF does not improve clinical outcome after ORIF in patients with isolated mandible fractures but has the potential benefit of improving follow-up compliance.